Organic Gunpowder Green

Gunpowder was China's workhorse export tea for centuries. The English name comes from the pellet-rolled form the leaves were traditionally compressed into — tight little balls that resembled black powder grains and survived long sea voyages without degrading. Zhu Cha (珠茶, Pearl Tea) is the Chinese name, historically associated with the Pingshui area of Zhejiang. It became the base tea for Moroccan mint tea and remains the standard for that preparation across North Africa today.

Our Gunpowder comes from Jiangxi Province and is left in an open-leaf format rather than rolled — same robust, slightly smoky flavor profile, quicker extraction, no pellet to unfurl. The brew comes out yellow-gold, which surprises new drinkers expecting green. That's the tea working as it should.

Brewing: 180°F water, 3 minutes, about half a teaspoon (1.5g) per 8 oz cup. Gunpowder handles a longer steep without turning harsh, but start at 3 minutes and adjust to your preference. Good for two or three re-brews — add a minute with each. For Moroccan mint tea: double the leaf measure, steep 5 minutes, add fresh mint and sugar to taste.

Sourcing: Grown organically in Jiangxi Province by a worker-owned cooperative. USDA Organic certified. No synthetic pesticides or herbicides.

What does Gunpowder Green taste like?

Robust and slightly smoky, with a clean finish and surprising lightness for how direct the dry leaf smells. The brew is yellow-gold, not green. Michele describes it as "a satisfying and rich cup of golden tea" that's "lightly sweet and leaves a silky feel." Most people find it much smoother than the name suggests.

Is Gunpowder too strong for everyday drinking?

Not if you use the right measure. Half a teaspoon per cup is the sweet spot — direct and bold without overwhelming. "Smooth and easy to drink throughout the day yet has a nice spicy bite," says Jeren. Carol steeps it longer for an even bolder cup; Heather drinks it morning to afternoon. The name's bigger than the bite.

How much caffeine is in Gunpowder Green?

Around 25–30mg per 8 oz cup — standard for green teas and roughly a quarter of a typical coffee. Enough of a morning lift without the spike and crash.

Can I re-steep the leaves?

Two solid steeps, sometimes three. Add a minute to the steep time each round. As Heather notes: "A little goes a long way — I appreciate that the leaves hold up for a second brew."

Is this the right tea for Moroccan mint tea?

It's the traditional base. Use about 1 teaspoon of tea (double the usual amount), steep 5 minutes, add fresh mint and sugar or honey to taste. Andrea made it that way and called it "top notch."